Three Silicon Valley Engineers Charged with Stealing Google Trade Secrets, Sending Data to Iran

Trio accused of exploiting positions at tech firms to obtain confidential files, including materials related to processor security and cryptography.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A federal grand jury has indicted three Silicon Valley engineers - Samaneh Ghandali, Soroor Ghandali, and Mohammadjavad Khosravi - on charges of stealing trade secrets from Google and other technology companies and transferring sensitive data to Iran. The defendants, who are Iranian nationals, are accused of exploiting their positions at leading tech firms to obtain hundreds of confidential files, including materials related to processor security and cryptography.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing threat of corporate espionage and the theft of trade secrets, particularly from major technology companies that are developing critical semiconductor and mobile processor technologies. It also raises concerns about potential national security risks from the transfer of sensitive data to foreign adversaries like Iran.

The details

According to prosecutors, Samaneh and Soroor Ghandali previously worked at Google before joining a third company, while Khosravi worked at a separate firm that develops system-on-chip (SoC) platforms like Qualcomm's Snapdragon. The trio is accused of routing stolen files through a third-party communications platform and attempting to cover their tracks after Google's internal security systems flagged Samaneh's activity. Authorities allege the defendants sought to photograph confidential information from computer screens to circumvent digital monitoring tools.

  • In August 2023, Google revoked Samaneh's access to company resources after its security systems flagged her activity.
  • On the night before the pair traveled to Iran in December 2023, Samaneh allegedly took about 24 photos of Khosravi's work computer screen containing Company 2's trade secrets.

The players

Samaneh Ghandali

A 41-year-old Iranian national who previously worked at Google and is accused of stealing trade secrets.

Soroor Ghandali

A 32-year-old Iranian national and Samaneh's sister, who also previously worked at Google.

Mohammadjavad Khosravi

A 40-year-old Iranian national and Samaneh's husband, who worked at a firm that develops system-on-chip (SoC) platforms.

Google

The technology company that detected the alleged theft of trade secrets through its internal security monitoring and referred the case to law enforcement.

Company 2

The firm where Khosravi worked, which develops system-on-chip (SoC) platforms such as the Snapdragon series for smartphones and other mobile devices.

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What they’re saying

“We have enhanced safeguards to protect our confidential information and immediately alerted law enforcement after discovering this incident.”

— José Castañeda, Google spokesman (CNBC)

“The method in which confidential data was transferred by the defendants involved deliberate steps to evade detection and conceal their identities.”

— Sanjay Virmani, FBI Special Agent in Charge (CNBC)

What’s next

Prosecutors allege the defendants face up to 10 years in prison for each trade secret charge and up to 20 years for obstruction of justice, along with fines of up to $250,000 per count if convicted.

The takeaway

This case underscores the ongoing threat of corporate espionage and the need for technology companies to maintain robust security measures to protect their trade secrets, particularly from foreign adversaries seeking to gain an economic and technological advantage.